First name change applications without pathologisation have been granted in Yerevan, Armenia. On Human Rights Day, December 10, two trans individuals were able to have their name change upon application without having to provide a mental health diagnosis. The diagnosis and the requirement of three witnesses for a name change has been dropped by the Civil Acts Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice, according to the NGO “Right Side”.

“Right Side” has been advocating for simplified procedures for a change of name and gender marker, supporting the two applicants. The human rights NGO praises the decisions for their great symbolic value as a precedent in Armenia.

TGEU congratulates the trans community and everyone who contributed to this important development.

“Trans people have a right to have their name changed in a quick, transparent, accessible manner, respecting their right to self-determination. The activists behind this success have proven vision and persistence. We look forward for a proper law to follow up on this welcome change in practice”, comments Dinah Bons.

On December 10, 2018, the International Day of Human Rights, for the firsttime, the Civil Acts Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice of theRepublic of Armenia has confirmed the application of two transgender people forlegal name change without a psychological conclusion of being transgender,which is not a requirement for legal name change from now on. It should bereminded that in the past, the Civil Acts Registration Office of MOJ of RArequired 3 witness of an applicant to confirm the name. However, as a result ofthe effective collaboration of the staff of the “Right Side” human rightsdefender NGO with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, therequirement for 3 witnesses was withdrawn in 2017. In 2018, “Right Side”human rights defender NGO has set a task for further facilitation of the legalname change procedure. As a part of advocacy strategy 2 trans people applied 2months ago to the Civil Acts Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice ofthe Republic of Armenia for their legal name change without a psychologicalconclusion. The applications of two trans people were confirmed which is aprecedent for Armenia. This step taken on the Day of Human Rights is a greatsymbolic victory, which for sure ease legal name change process of transgenderpeople by changing the legal practice. “Right Side” human rights defenderNGO congratulates the transgender community in Armenia for this achievement andexpresses its gratitude to the Civil Acts Registration Office of the Ministryof Justice of the Republic of Armenia for the cooperation.